Norway and Greece bolster offshore wind ties as Norwegian Offshore Wind, an offshore wind body in Norway and Hellenic Wind Energy Association ELETAEN, Greece’s national wind association, have been awarded funding support through the EEA Grants.
The funding will be used to map the Greek supply chain in offshore wind and link it to Norwegian counterparts. Since ports are seen as central aspect of the supply chain, a special emphasis will put on mapping the ports in Greece capable for delivering for offshore wind.
The two national associations have planned several joint activities between the Greek and Norwegian supply chains. Several visits to the Greek market and to the Norwegian market are already in the pipeline, and the areas for offshore wind in Greece are expected to be announced soon.
Arvid Nesse, manager of Norwegian Offshore Wind, points out that a targeted collaboration will create great opportunities for the industry in both countries.
”There are synergies between Norway and Greece in offshore wind. This funding will boost our activities and strengthen our links to ELETAEN and other counterparts in the Greek market”, says Nesse.
The timing is perfect for Norwegian supply chain companies to position themselves into an emerging floating wind market, Nesse adds.
Panagiotis Papastamatiou, CEO of Hellenic Wind Energy Association Eletaen, emphasises the need for Greece to exploit its rich offshore wind potential developing a robust supply chain locally.
”Bringing knowledge and experience from Norway, a more mature market, will provide significant opportunities for Greece to meet its offshore wind targets in the most effective way for its economy”, says Papastamatiou.
In 2021, Norwegian Offshore Wind was awarded status as an Arena Pro Cluster, through Norwegian innovation clusters. The Norwegian Offshore Wind’s members range from small startups to multinational companies.
Norwegian Offshore Wind grew out of the marine energy test centre (METCentre) in Haugesund. This is where the world’s first floating wind turbine was installed already in 2009 and is still running today.
